2017 WEEK ONE

This quote links up with the current popular idea in psychology about 'being in the present' or 'mindfulness'. Often we are distracted and not enjoying the present moment, but I thought it was a bit much when I did a course recently about Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and the homework given was to be mindful when you are doing the dishes and concentrate on every aspect of the process so you can really appreciate it - the shapes of the dishes; the feel of the water etc. 

I couldn't really see the point of this. Isn't it better to escape with your thoughts somewhere else when doing something so tedious and mundane as washing dishes? I do not enjoy doing dishes so why not make plans for the next craft project, or picnic or whatever, so that that experience becomes richer from the planning. At the same time I can 'escape' from the tedium of dish washing.

I think it is really important to appreciate the small moments in life because this is what life is made of, but there are just some moments I really can't enjoy. In fact there are times when I look forward, such as when my car has broken down, and I just think, "In a couple of hours this will all be over and everything will be back to normal and what seems like a big problem now will be solved." I must admit that while I wait for the NRMA I am in the moment playing 'Words With Friends.'

So on with 2017!

The first day of 2017 was spent at the Wollongong Botanic Gardens with some of Peter's family. (Please note that I have not shown people's faces so as to maintain their privacy.)

The duck pond was a highlight.

Going through the rain forest section was fun.

The oriental bridge was unusual but not ideal for a stroller.

Two cousins found a 'tent'.

Orchids in the greenhouse.

Grandson number 1 in the cacti house

Number 1 grandson outside with giant Cacti.

On 3rd January Peter's elder daughter came down with her two beautiful daughters and we went for a bike ride at Stuart Park.

We had lunch at Diggies and I had the most delicious mussels in wine sauce with sourdough bread.

I must cook some mussels again. Peter doesn't like them but they are high in iron and low in calories.

This was the view from our table, out onto North Wollongong Beach

My Vietnamese mint grows at a great rate and threatens to take over my garden so I picked a lush bunch and placed it in the kitchen window where I can pick the leaves at whim.

These sprayed candlesticks turned out well. I bought them at Vinnies for $5.

This is before:

This is after:

I have plans for them

Happy Birthday

Today is my wonderful daughter's 37th birthday. Life has been a bit of a struggle for her but she had always acted with a lot of integrity and never tried to take the easy path. Much of this is due to the support of her partner who is also her carer. I am not allowed to talk about her on this blog (which she prefers not to read) so if nobody tells her she won't know that I have told you that if you would like to see some of her artwork Google Jade Pegler. She is in the stable of artists at http://www.gallery9.com.au/ You can see some of her last exhibition at Gallery 9 here.

Here is just one example of her work from her last exhibition.

Rhiannon's garden

My daughter Rhiannon and her husband are gradually establishing a garden. They are up to their second raised veggie bed.

I love watching the progress they make. You can follow their progress here on You Tube.

And in deference to many of my family members I will leave you with this.

Interesting sites

1.

Solo Mountain Climber has no fear

Photo source

It is all to do with the amygdala. Click here to read more.






2.

 Automated car park

Photo source

Click here to view the video of this automated car park.




3.

 Vavasseur's cats

Photo source

Raphael Vavasseur does beautiful but unusual paintings of cats. Click here to see more.

GLIMPSES OF 2013

Happy people plan actions, they don't plan results 

Dennis Wholey

2013 went so quickly. It was an unsettled year for me. I was living on money from long service leave and my redundancy payment.  I spent the year not knowing what type of welfare payment I would be entitled to in October. New Start would have given me $250 a week. I would have to sell my house. My doctors suggested I try for a disability pension. I have a number of health problems which makes looking for a job very difficult, but I was surprised at the ease with which I was awarded a pension.

While a pension doesn't pay a great amount, and I am having to pull my belt very tight, it makes keeping the house a possibility. And if I can manage some sort of craft business, and maybe sell some Nu Skin products I will be very happy.

.
Below are a few glimpses of my 2013.

January

February

March

April

\

May

June

July

 

August

 September

October

November

 

December

I feel quite positive about 2014. I have a great belief that God will look after me. At the rate my life changes these days, who knows where I will be by the end of the year.

Best wishes to everyone for 2014.

Interesting sites
 1.

 Tiny House used as office

Photo source

 This is a modern Tiny House used in a backyard as an office. Click here to read more.

2.

Get blown away at Maho Beach

Photo source

Planes come in so low over the heads of these people on Maho Beach in the Caribbean that they can almost touch them. I can't imagine this ever being allowed in Australia. Click here to go to the site and see the 2 videos. They are definitely worth watching.

3.

Photo source

 Click here  to visit Owey Island, in the Atlantic west of Donegal, Ireland. It is really beautiful!! I would love to live there.

MINUMURRA AND FLOWERS

There are many ways to be free. One of them is to transcend reality by imagination, as I try to do.

Anaïs Nin

It has been a couple of weeks since my last post. I have had an unsettled fortnight and just couldn't quite get organised enough to 'put pen to paper.' 

It has been an interesting fortnight.  We spent a lovely day at Minnamurra Rainforest with P:-)'s son and daughter-in-law and two little grand daughters.

We went on Melbourne Cup day and had the place to ourselves.

I have always loved walking in Minumurra Rainforest.  We used to come here from the time I was a small child.

Last week P:-) bought me the most beautiful flowers. A mixture of natives and exotics.

 The photos don't really do the arrangement justice. I think they are the most beautiful flowers I have ever had!

I have begun a business venture. I am now a distributor for Nuskin.
Nuskin has a range of anti-aging products which are sold world wide.

I had never heard of Nuskin until about 2 weeks ago, and have become involved through quite a circuitous route. But I have tried a number of their products and found them to be good and am currently on their diet program known as TR90. I will let you know how it all goes.

Interesting sites
1.

Beautiful caravan

Photo credit.

Sarah LoCascio has a beautiful caravan that she and her husband travel in .  Click here to see some great pictures. I am quite envious.


2.

Tab for 500 coffees

Photo credit

A mystery man picks up the tab for 500 coffees in Calgary, Canada. He went into a coffee shop and gave them  enough  money to pay for coffee for the nest 500 people.Click here
to read more.



3.

Getting out of your comfort zone

Photo credit

 This is an interesting article about getting out of your comfort zone. Click here to read more.

THE RAINFOREST GALLERY

Last week when P:-) and I were in Melbourne we took a trip to the Yarra Valley to the picturesque town of Warburton. We had set our Navman  for Warburton but it took us straight through the town and up into the nearby mountains. Here we came across the Rainforest Gallery, a lovely walk through temperate rain forest.

Parking area at the Rainforest Gallery

I love rainforest walks, and this was a beautiful walk. We began with a stroll along the 40 metre long observation platform which takes you into the rainforest canopy 15 metres above the ground. Then we followed the 350 metre long elevated walkway which took us through the Rainforest Gallery where we saw magnificent 65 metre tall old growth Mountain Ash trees, ancient Myrtle Beech trees (many of which could be up to 300 to 400 years old), ferns, mosses and other plants that make up this damp and diverse rainforest environment.

There were several viewing spots along the walkway where we paused to enjoy the sounds of Cement Creek flowing past on its journey to the Yarra River.

I am a fungusphile - I love fungus. I find it extremely beautiful and fascinating in that it is neither plant nor animal but has its own kingdom. We came across some great specimens as we were walking.

Ghost Fungus ( Omphalotus nidiformis)

Close up of Ghost fungus (Omphalotus nidiformis)

Bracket Fungi (stereum ostrea)

 

At the end of the walk was this beautiful poem written by Judith Wright

 

Interesting sites

1.

Photo source

I would just love to own this studio on the rocks. Click here to see some great pictures of it. This is just beautiful.

2.

Photo source

What are dragonflies wings made of? They look glassy. Click here  to read more.


3.

 

Photo source

I really enjoy reading stuff by Tammy Strobel. I follow her blog Rowdy Kittens and enjoyed her book You Can Buy Happiness. Click here to read her article How to Nurture Your Creative Energy guest posted on the blog The Mojo Lab.